PLANS to build 74 homes at the northern edge of Frome have been refused.
The land, known as Packsaddle Fields, was put up for sale in 2022 by the cash-strapped Somerset Council and an application for 74 homes and a home for children with disabilities was subsequently submitted by housing association LiveWest.
The plans received 277 public comments – all against the plans.
Councillors voted to refuse the plans today (January 7) on grounds that the harms of the proposed development outweigh any potential benefits as the application is outside the development limits for the town, harms to local identity and distinctiveness, harms to the landscape and loss of public open space.
The decision was met with applause from the audience.
Community group People For Packsaddle formed with the intention to bring the eight-acre site into community ownership as they said the “cherished” fields are rich with wildlife, and it has been used by generations of residents as a place to walk safely in nature and enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside.
READ MORE: A “brighter future” proposed for Frome’s Packsaddle fields as community group launches its vision
READ MORE: Frome surgery picks up trio of prestigious national awards
Packsaddle Fields has been in public ownership since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a school.
People For Packsaddle made a formal offer to Somerset Council to buy the land, which was awarded an asset of community value status, for £250,000 as an alternative to the LiveWest proposals.
The LiveWest proposals which were refused Picture: LiveWest
Campaigners will now be celebrating following the refusal of plans.
“Dud application”
Speaking against the plans at the meeting, Toby Culff from People For Packsaddle said: “You’ll be making a seismic error if this plan is approved. As well as being objectively awful, this application is unlawful.
“We’re not here today because of housing. We’re here today because of money.
“This dud application has been driven by an element of your council that is determined to sell these fields.
“A false narrative has been developed, which is that our community’s relationship with the field is fictitious.
“In fact, these fields are rightly a rare asset of community value as they have been at the heart of our community for 50 years.
“They are used daily and extensively. The benefits to community cohesion are huge.
“Is this what good development looks like? We’ve been misled, belittled, and ignored.”
A Live West spokesperson said their plans “respect nature” as 36% of the site will be offered as a green space and a play area, and a community orchard will be provided alongside the planting of 175 new trees and 150 metres of hedgerows retained and enhanced.
Councillor Adam Boydon said: “I did try and maintain my neutral status [as a councillor] but I’m here to represent my community.
“If this application is granted permission we would lose something very special here.”
Excellent news. There are several other areas in Frome that can be developed for housing before the fields and green spaces we all love are torn up and concreted over